Girls’ fall sports open across Valley
While high school football and volleyball earn the majority of headlines during the fall season, there are three additional sports that require just as much time, effort and dedication from local athletes.
In addition to volleyball, local girls will also compete in tennis, golf and cross country, which is co-ed.
Over the years, certain teams and high schools have dominated these sports and this year will likely be no different as a number of top athletes are set to return to their respective team, which will begin competing very soon.
In girls’ tennis, the squad from Calexico High School captured its third consecutive Imperial Valley League championship last season after finishing local play with a perfect record of 10-0.
While the team lost key singles and doubles players to graduation, the program run by Xavier Rodriguez will no doubt find new talent to replace the old.
Returning to the team this year is 2015 All-IVL First Team honoree Aima Ruvalcaba, who competed in doubles for the Bulldogs last season.
While Calexico was able to straightforwardly earn its third IVL crown last year, the young team from Vincent Memorial made a case for itself last year.
The Scots’ Ofelia Lopez ran away with IVL Player of the Year honors as a sophomore after finishing the season undefeated in singles matches.
Lopez’s teammate and fellow singles player Ana Fernanda Villarreal also had a strong season and earned All-IVL First Team honors as a sophomore.
In addition to the Bulldogs and the Scots, Southwest and Brawley Union highs are also returning strong teams to the courts this season.
In the girls’ cross country race all eyes will be on Southwest High as the Lady Eagles chase their fourth consecutive IVL title.
The Eagles are led by junior phenom Sabrina Benavides, who has never lost a local race since she began competing for Southwest as a freshman.
Also on the roster for the Eagles this year are returning seniors Kenya Verduzco and Iris Valadez, who will no doubt be looking to end their high school careers as four-time champions.
In the boys’ cross country race, the Eagles are also one of the top teams in IVL and competed well last season alongside the teams from Imperial and Central Union highs.
While the three teams had strong competitors, they all came in behind the team from Calexico High.
Led by Jesus Rojas and David Obeso, the Bulldogs boys captured their fifth consecutive IVL crown last year and are returning a number of strong runners.
Set to compete for a sixth team title this year are Frankie Castillo, Gibran Torres and Guillermo Galvan.
Rounding out the rest of the fall sports is girls’ golf, which last year saw Imperial High capture its first IVL title in school history.
The Tigers only fielded a full squad for the first time last year, making their first-place finish that much more exciting.
Imperial was led by a trio of sisters, who will all be returning to the squad this year.
Last season, Camille, Raegan and Morgan Preece all earned All-IVL First Team honors to help Imperial to an undefeated season and reach the first round of the CIF San Diego Section team playoffs.